Kellyn Acosta called up to U.S. U-20 MNT International Training Camp in Italy

CHICAGO (Nov. 8, 2013) – U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Tab Ramos has named a 22-player roster for an international training camp that will take place in Verona, Italy, from Nov. 10-20.

The squad, mostly comprised of graduates from the U.S. U-17 and U-18 National Team programs, is looking to play three friendly matches in addition to its training regimen. The U.S. will play against Italian Serie A side Hellas Verona’s academy team Hellas Verona Primavera, Iran’s U-20 National Team and a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent.

“This is purely a camp where we can get a better idea of where our players are,” Ramos told ussoccer.com. “They are all players who are getting great experiences, and this particular camp gives us a good chance to see them in an international camp, playing in an international environment, which will give us a good idea of what these players can do.”

The U-20 MNT World Cup roster features 19 players who have ties to the Development Academy, including eight who are currently registered: Kellyn Acosta, Santiago Castano, Conor Donovan, Matias Fracchia, Matthew Miazga, Shaquell Moore, Amando Moreno and John Requejo Jr.

Six players were born in 1996 : Conor Donovan, Junior Flores, Emerson Hyndman, Shaquell Moore, John Requejo Jr., and Rubio Rubin. Four of those players – Donovan, Moore, Requejo Jr. and Rubin – all helped the U.S. U-17 MNT win the International Tournament in Niigata, Japan, with a perfect 3-0-0 record in July.

Donovan, Moore, Rubin and Hyndman were all included in the U.S. U-18 MNT squad that took second (on goal differential to host France) at the Limoges Tournament in France with a 2-0-1 record this past October.

Acosta played on the FC Dallas U-17/18 Academy squad that won the 2011-12 Academy Finals Week title game against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. He was also a member of the U.S. U-17 squad during the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico and the U.S. U-20 MNT at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

Former U.S. Men’s National Team players Tony Meola and Clint Mathis will join head coach Tab Ramos’ staff for the camp.

Castano started in goal to help the New York Red Bulls U-17/18 Academy win the title at the 2012-13 Academy Finals Week. The Red Bulls defeated Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy 2-1 in overtime on July 21 in Houston.